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Brighton held by Bristol City

Date published: Monday 24th August 2015 1:25

The Bristol City crowd, who are yet to see their side lose at home under Sean O’Driscoll, watched their side carve out plenty of chances against Brighton, but they failed to find a way past Tomasz Kuszczak.
Albion, who failed to have a shot on or off target, put in a resolute defensive display to earn a point which keeps them in the play-off places. Bristol City remain bottom, three points from safety.
O’Driscoll’s one change to his starting line-up saw captain Cole Skuse back in the side having missed the whole of February through injury.
And the midfielder twice tried his luck from distance within a matter of seconds but found his efforts blocked by Adam El-Abd and then Liam Bridcutt, back in the side after suspension.
In a quiet opening to the match the first save either keeper had to make was Kuszczak’s simple stop from Paul Anderson’s 25-yard effort in the 18th minute, as City looked to make it five successive home wins.
Both Robins full-backs were involved in the next chance with Brendan Moloney’s shot being deflected over after Greg Cunningham’s cross was cleared into his path.
The home side continued to create all the openings with Liam Kelly’s right-footed volley forcing a save out of Kuszczak in the Brighton goal and then Marvin Elliott heading Cunningham’s left-footed free-kick over the crossbar.
Gus Poyet, whose side came into this match in the last play-off place in the Championship, had given Craig Mackail-Smith the nod ahead of Saturday’s hat-trick hero Leonardo Ulloa up front.
But the Argentinian was back on the field in first-half stoppage time when the Scot had to come off with a knee injury.
That change failed to alter the flow of the match as the Robins, rock-bottom of the league before kick off, continued to create chances as the second half began, midfielders Anderson and Kelly both trying their luck before El-Abd deflected Moloney’s effort just past the post.
Elliott threatened shortly after with a 25-yard shot that bounced wide after he was fed by Anderson before Jon Stead headed straight at Kuszczak after being found by Liam Fontaine.
As the game reached added time, Ullua cleared Adomah’s right-footed corner out of danger as his side picked up a hard-fought away point.